UK surname
A habitational name for someone from any of various places named Middleton.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Middelton surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Birse, Chapel of Garioch and Kirkden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Middelton is 227 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.3%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1861
227 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Middelton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Middelton surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 152 | #12,786 |
| 1861 | historical | 227 | #10,749 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 86 | #24,508 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Birse, Chapel of Garioch, Kirkden, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birse | Aberdeen |
| 2 | Chapel of Garioch | Aberdeen |
| 3 | Kirkden | Forfar |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Middelton surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Middelton, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Middelton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Middelton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Middelton is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Middelton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Middelton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Middelton originated in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from one of the several places called Middleton, such as those found in Lancashire, Norfolk, Sussex, and Yorkshire. The name is derived from the Old English words "middel" meaning "middle" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement."
One of the earliest known references to the name Middelton can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book lists several individuals with variations of the name, including Gamel de Midelton in Yorkshire.
In the 13th century, the Middelton family held lands in Lancashire, and several members were knights and lords of the manor. During this period, the name was also spelled as Middleton, Middeltown, and Midelton, reflecting the variations in spelling common at the time.
One notable figure from this era was Sir John Middelton (c. 1282-1349), a knight who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence under King Edward I and was rewarded with lands in Lancashire for his service.
In the 15th century, the Middelton family established themselves in Derbyshire, where they owned estates and played a prominent role in local affairs. Among the notable members of this branch was Sir Thomas Middelton (c. 1456-1523), a member of the English Parliament and a supporter of King Henry VII during the War of the Roses.
Another famous bearer of the name was Sir Hugh Middelton (1560-1631), a successful entrepreneur and engineer who oversaw the construction of the New River, a man-made waterway that brought fresh water to London from Hertfordshire. This ambitious project, completed in 1613, was a major engineering feat and played a crucial role in improving the water supply and sanitation of the growing city.
During the 17th century, several Middeltons emigrated to the American colonies, where they established themselves as prominent landowners and merchants. One notable figure was Arthur Middleton (1681-1737), a wealthy plantation owner in South Carolina and a signer of the United States Constitution.
Throughout its history, the surname Middelton has been associated with various professions and walks of life, including landowners, military personnel, entrepreneurs, politicians, and intellectuals. Its origins in the Middle Ages and its continued presence across generations reflect the rich tapestry of English history and the enduring legacy of this remarkable name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Middelton surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 8 Middeltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.72x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 8 | 6.72x |
| Fife | 8 | 33.78x |
| Angus | 4 | 10.80x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.00x |
| Renfrewshire | 4 | 12.91x |
| Ayrshire | 3 | 10.02x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 4.69x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.54x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 9.30x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 20.53x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.83x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Scoonie in Fife leads with 8 Middeltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1568.63x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Scoonie | 8 | 1568.63x |
| Stranton | 7 | 174.56x |
| Cathcart | 4 | 238.10x |
| Kilwinning | 3 | 309.28x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 8.60x |
| St George In East | 3 | 110.29x |
| Dundee | 2 | 14.46x |
| Roughton | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Fetteresso | 1 | 131.58x |
| Horncastle | 1 | 151.52x |
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 109.89x |
| Monifieth | 1 | 76.34x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 13.25x |
| Rhuddlan | 1 | 105.26x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 47.62x |
| Swindon | 1 | 36.50x |
| Thornton Le Street | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Middelton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Middelton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Middelton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| General Lab | 2 |
| Book Folder | 1 |
| Cork Cutter | 1 |
| General Lab Wife | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Genl Lab | 1 |
| Labourer Railway | 1 |
| Nursery Lab (Man) | 1 |
| Vellum Binder (Book Binde) | 1 |
| Woodmans Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Middelton surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Middelton a modern rank of #36,533.
A habitational name for someone from any of various places named Middleton.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Middelton bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.